HISTORY OF TELEVISION

40-1101-01 3 credits Thursdays from 9-11:50am, room 101 Columbia College Chicago, Television Department 600 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60605 (312) 369-7410 (main office)

Instructor: Sharon Ross Phone: (312) 369-7166 email: [email protected] Office Hours: Thursdays 1-5pm, 1403 (Alexandroff Bldg.) * I encourage you to drop by to visit me during my office hours as often as you like. AT

LEAST ONCE DURING THE SEMESTER, TV MAJORS MUST ARRANGE TO MEET WITH ME to discuss how the class is going, and your studies at Columbia. Sign-up sheets will be up on my door, except during registration advising
periods, when appointments are made through the main office on the 15th floor. Because registration gets busy, I would recommend signing up sooner rather than later! * You may reach me by e-mail at [email protected]; I check my email on a regular basis. My alternative e-mail is [email protected], which I also check regularly. In the case of an emergency, you can call me first at my office or try to reach me through the main office of the Television Department (312-369-7410). COURSE DESCRIPTION Television is a primary source for the transmission of information, politics, entertainment, and our collective and dispersed cultures in the United States, surpassing even film and newspaper because of its combined accessibility and visual appeals. Since its arrival on the scene at the Worlds Fair of 1939, TV has been the site through which we engage with any number of issues and eventsfrom the most intimate to the most broadly social. The History of Television as a course is therefore a cultural history course; in other words, we examine not only the chronological development of television as a technology and an industry, but we explore also how television has become a part of our histories and, indeed, how TV has shaped history and our sense of it. Course Rationale: Students wanting a thorough background and history of TV as a visual medium will find the necessary information in this class. Those pursuing a career within the industry will have a firmer basis for the creation of television products (script, technology, end product, management and promotion, etc.) because they will know why things happened as they didand therefore be better able to know TV in the future. Reading Materials Watching TV: Six Decades of American Television by Castleman & Podrazik can be purchased at the bookstore--this is a comprehensive, introductory television history book that we will rely on for class details and that will be useful for your final papers. The information offered in it is critical to your understanding of the straightforward historical development of television in the United States. Because it is chronological and focuses on programming trends, we have a packet of articles that deal consider the meaning of television history. The packet and additional handouts will be provided in class.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES By the end of this course, you will be able to: identify televisions key developmental moments as a medium, technologically, industrially, and culturally interpret and explain scholars and critics perceptions about TVs role in shaping history and historys role in shaping TV collect and evaluate research related to a specific element of TV history and integrate this information with your growing knowledge of patterns in TV history COURSE WORK Your performance in this class will be judged in part on attendance, writing assignments, and exams. It is an excellent idea to team up with several people in the class who will be willing to share their notes and observations with you (and vice versa); this is a noteheavy class and missing even one day can really hurt you if you dont catch up on notes and screenings. All assignments are due at the beginning of class, printed already. PROBLEMS WITH COMPUTERS (PRINTERS OR EMAILS) DO NOT SUFFICE AS EXPLANATION FOR LATE ASSIGNMENTS. ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED BY EMAIL. Oral History ProjectYou will interview two people from two different TV eras--someone from age 18-40 and someone 50 or older. You will ask them to talk with you about their experiences with television and then write a 4-5-page discussion of what you learned and how it relates to what we have been covering in class.

Research PaperYou will write a research paper dealing with some aspect of television history. A number of topics are possible and we will discuss this in class. A research paper REQUIRES A PROPOSAL that outlines your topic, question, and strategy for research; approval of your research sources; and a partial draft using 2 of your sources. The final paper will be 7-10 pages.

Examsyou will take four unit exams across the semester, and the lowest score will be dropped; this means you can miss one exam (though it is still an absence, or you might do well enough to skip the last exam). Exams will focus on both readings and lectures, including screenings in class. These exams will use multiple choice, matching, and short answers/mini-essays to give those with different testing style strengths a fair shot. You will be allowed to use class handout sheets and notes, but not books or readings. (IF YOU TYPE NOTES ON A LAPTOP, PRINT YOUR NOTES FOR THE EXAM.) Be forewarned: If you have not kept up with readings and class notes (see next pages for tips), the exams will be hard on you. The materials you are allowed to use are meant to be for supportnot for you too flip through during the entire exam in an attempt to find answers. (Exams will start promptly at 9am and you will have until 10:30am to complete them.)

COURSE WORK POINT BREAKDOWN oral history.............................. 60 points proposal for final paper..........10 points sources for final paper 20 points draft of final paper.30 points final paper.................................70 points unit exams...50 points each; lowest score will be dropped attendance.100 points (94% above413 points above=A) 90-93%.........396-412 =A87-89%.........378-395 =B+ 84-86%.........369-377 =B 80-83%.........352-368 =B77-79%.........338-351 =C+ 74-76%.........325-337 =C 70-73%.........308-324 =C60-69%.........264-307 =D (59% below...263 points below =F) ***COLLEGE-WIDE POLICY ON MINIMUM GRADE*** It is now policy that for any class a Columbia student takes in their list of departmental core courses, the student must achieve a minimum of a C (above, 325 points). If you are a TV major, or if you are planning on this class counting towards another departments core requirements, you will not be able to take advanced classes beyond the core with a grade of C- or lower in this class. DO NOT EXPECT EXCEPTIONS TO BE MADE OR TO BE ABLE TO RELY ON EXTRA CREDIT AT THE LAST MINUTE. Pay attention to your grades as you go, and work with me: turn in your work on time and follow the assignment guidelines, take care to be on time and present in class, and ask questions when you have them! THE RULES OF THE GAME Come to class on time and ready to participate! Attendance will be taken in class through a signup sheet or via assignments. It is your responsibility to make sure I know you were there (on paper); SIGN-IN SHEETS WILL GO AROUND AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS AND IF YOUR NAME ISNT ON THE SHEET BY THE TIME IT GETS TO MY DESK, YOU ARE OFFICIALLY TARDY. If you come in late, write your name on a piece of paper and bring it to the front IMMEDIATELY. The lectures, screenings, and discussions we will have are immensely important to the course goals; if youre not here, youre not learning those skills and getting the Big Picture. A lot of what I say and what your classmates have to say will not make any kind of sense if you do not have the same frame of reference, and I tend to rely on things that develop in class for exam questions. In addition, it is hard for me to help you if the primary reason you need help is that you havent been here.

3 MISSED CLASSES MAY RESULT IN AN F3 tardies= an absence. You will start to lose attendance points at more than 1 absencethis includes tardies. (If I notice repetitive lateness of a few minutes [including coming back from breaks], cells/pagers going off/ being answered, or talking during class, points will be deducted from your attendance grade as well.) At 2 absences, you lose 25 points from attendance; 2+ absences lose you between 3040 points; 3 absences result in all attendance points lost. Any extra credit and bonus points are unavailable if you hit 2 absences. Attendance is an easy way to hurt your gradeprimarily because you are likely to suffer on exams. On the other hand, attending and participating can help you out a lot if you struggle with some other element in the class. Keep up with the readings and taking notes! Readings should be completed by the date they are listed on the syllabus. PLEASE NOTE: We are not always reading full chapters; pay attention on the syllabus so you know what to read and what not to. If you know that you have a heavy week in March due to other classes, work outside school, etc., plan ahead. Keeping Up also means making connectionsPractice studying as you go, especially if you are new to larger college classes: take notes during class; look over your notes soon after class and fill in any gaps; compare notes with others to see if youre getting the same points. After every class, see if you can summarize the main points, provide examples, relate this to the readings, and relate that to the screenings.

STAY ON TOP OF THINGS!!! Assignments are due at the beginning of class and will be counted as late if you are late, costing you points. Make sure you have a class partner who will help you with staying on top of things; learn to use Oasis for handouts you might miss when absent and make sure to contact me when you are absent or running late so I can help keep you updated.

For many of you, this class may see you working on your first college research papers and/or it may be your first experience with a full reading load. For notes in class, the goal is to elaborate in your notes BEYOND what is provided on the PowerPoint slides. After class, try turning these notes into short paragraphs and note examples where you can (clips, screenings, shows discussed). For notes from packet readings, you should be able to write up short summaries of: the main argument, 1-2 primary examples/pieces of evidence, and how the article relates to class content. For the main text book, focus on topics (shows, stars, events) that receive more attention3 paragraphs or more of discussion; also pay special attention to discussion of topics that come up in class or in the packet readings. Do not hesitate to approach me if the work overwhelms you or if you need assistance with note taking and researching, etc. I know what I want you to be focusing on so visit with me if youd like to make sure youre following along okay. In addition, the school has excellent resources (that you pay for) for helping students with how to write a good paper and how to study for exams:

Writing Center Statement The mission of the Columbia College Chicago Writing Center is to provide a comfortable, supportive, and instructional environment in which Writers work closely with Writing Consultants to develop and strengthen writing skills. The Center hosts a community of writers, readers, and thinkers working in a collaborative effort to understand and appreciate the exciting dynamics of the English language. The goals of this effort are to improve communication skills and empower all writers. The Center is open to the Columbia College Chicago Communitythe only requirement is a desire to enrich language skills and become a more confident writer. (33 E. Congress Bldg., 1st floor) Conaway Center Statement Students with disabilities are requested to present their Columbia accommodation letters to their instructor at the beginning of the semester so that accommodations can be arranged in a timely manner by the College, the department or the faculty member, as appropriate. Students with disabilities who do not have accommodation letters should visit the office of Services for Students with Disabilities in room 520 of the 33 East Congress building (312.369.8134/V or 312.360.0767/TTY). It is incumbent upon the students to know their responsibilities in this regard.

COURSE SYLLABUS
*This syllabus may be amended; I will inform you of any changes. * *Readings should be read by date listed* 1/29 2/5 This Is Only A Test Class Introduction and Course Overview Defining TV book: Intro, ch. 7, ch. 10 (thru p.59~stop at Though the top-rated programs), ch. 11 (thru p.66~stop at A summer sitcom that achieved success) Screening: I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners Full-on 1950s book: ch. 12, ch. 14 (thru p.96~stop at Adventures of Rin Tin Tin) packet: McCarthy Madness, The Twilight Zone Screening: The Twilight Zone Magical Turmoil The 1960s book: ch. 20 (p.142, RT. column), ch. 25 (p.181, RT. column beginning at Through 1964 and 1965 thru end) packet: Spectacles, Genies and Witches, TV Violence Screening: Smothered

2/12

2/19

PROPOSAL FOR FINAL PAPER DUE 2/26

3/5

UNIT EXAM (through 1960s) Screening: I Love the 70s

The 1970s book: ch. 30 (p.217, RT. column beginning at Televisions loud and sloppy foray thru end), ch. 32, ch. 37 packet: Censored

Screening: Mary Tyler Moore, All in the Family 3/12 Continued

ORAL HISTORY DUE

book: ch. 35, ch. 36 (p.261, LFT. column beginning at Produced by crime show veterans thru end) packet: Roots; Aaron Spelling: A Prime-Time Life Screening: Laverne and Shirley, Media Moguls

3/19

UNIT EXAM (1970s)

Spring Break
Reagan And Ragin 4/2 The 1980s

SOURCES FOR FINAL PAPER DUE

book: ch. 41, ch. 42 packet: The Hostage Crisis as Metaphor, Dallas Screening: Hill Street Blues 4/9 (Continued) book: ch. 43 (p.308, LFT. column beginning at There was little pressure thru end), ch. 45 packet: What MTV Hath Wrought; The Cosby Show; Brandon Tartikoffs NBC Screening: The Cosby Show, Cheers The Times, They Are A Changin 4/16 The 90s Are Coming, The 90s Are Coming

DRAFT OF FINAL PAPER DUE

book: ch. 47 (p.332, RT. column beginning at Following its spring 1986 unveiling thru end), ch. 48, ch. 50 (p.348 thru end) packet: North to the Future, Being Zack Morris Screening: Northern Exposure, Saved By the Bell

4/23
4/30

UNIT EXAM (through 90s are coming)

The 90s Are Here book: ch. 49, ch. 51 (p.354, LFT. column beginning at Hanging over all these concerns thru end), ch. 55 & 56 (p.375, LFT. column beginning at It was hard to miss thru p.379~stop at The network had slotted Murder One) packet: Bochco

Screening: Murphy Brown, South Park 5/7 Continued

FINAL PAPER DUE

book: ch. 61 packet: Fledgling FOX (series of sections), What Happens When People Stop Being Polite, Gay TV Screening: Living Single, Real World, Ellen

5/14

UNIT EXAM (1990s)